NATUROPATHIC NEWS & REVIEW:

Although a food intolerance is usually not life threatening. It can be downright embarrassing and debilitating…

What is a Food Intolerance?

People commonly confuse a food intolerance with a food allergy. However, there is a distinct difference between the two. A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to an otherwise harmless food. This reaction can be severe, and an anaphylactic shock can occur causing a life-threatening situation. An allergy typically occurs soon after ingesting the food responsible, and it can present itself in a variety of ways. Some of the most common side effects of a food allergy include diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, itching, swelling, skin rashes and vomiting.

How Does a Food Intolerance Effect You?

A food intolerance is a chemical reaction that can present with similar symptoms to a food allergy. However, the symptoms of a food intolerance will never reach a life-threatening level. Food intolerance can also be hard to detect as while some symptoms occur immediately; others may not develop for up to 24 hours. Common side effects of a food intolerance include gas, cramps, constipation, diarrhoea, headaches, rashes, eczema, sinus, sweating, fatigue and heartburn.

How to Determine if You Have a Food Intolerance

When trying to determine if your symptoms are from a food allergy or food intolerance, it is important to identify the possible food suspects that you have consumed in the past 24 hours. Figuring out if the reactions you are experiencing are due to a food intolerance can prove to be quite difficult as it can depend on the amount of that particular food you have consumed. Most people with a food intolerance learn that they have a threshold for a particular food before they start experiencing symptoms. Luckily with a food intolerance, there are some very likely suspects that are more common than others, i.e. dairy products, wheat, eggs, yeast and certain fruits.

No longer do we have to rely solely on the Food Rotation and Elimination Diet to get answers, testing for a food intolerance is a simple, safe, accurate and fast, with results given as quickly as within the week. Once you have defined which symptoms are related to a food intolerance, you can learn how to live with it. Eliminating the foods that cause the intolerance is often the easiest way to ensure you don’t endure the undesirable reactions. Speak with a professional to see if this option is best for you.

While eliminating certain foods can be disheartening, it is important to remember that there are many other foods you can substitute into your diet to provide you with the nutrition and sustenance your body needs. Knowing what to look out for is the key to making a food intolerance liveable and minimising its impact on your life.

If you find that you or your child are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, it is important that you seek help. It is also recommended that you undertake a food intolerance test. This test will allow you to take the next steps so you can continue on with more important things in life!

About Our Naturopathic News and Review Columnist

Trudy Cadoo is a Senior Naturopath at Brisbane Livewell Clinic, Wavell Heights. She believes that health is more than the absence of disease. It is the balance of many factors including mental, emotional and physical well-being. Trudy uses a wide range of diagnostic tools to identify and treat presenting problems. Trudy specialises in helping busy professional women gain more energy, increase their immune system and feel more vital and in control of their health.

Disclaimer: The information published in this column is the author’s own professional and personal knowledge, and opinion. This information and opinion are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition and consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on InShape News.